How do you currently apply this strategy, with or without the use of technology?
I do a lot of group work in my classes. The nature of many classes I teacher is that most of the units end with a large project instead of a traditional assessment. I try and vary it so some assignments can be completed individually but others are group assignments. Right now I use different ways of picking groups. Sometimes I require that the group cannot be made up of 2 people from the same grade or can only have 2 people of the same sex. I have let them just pick groups and I even use a tool where they have to find a group to complete a pattern:
This is my peanut butter and jelly group sheet. Each student gets a picture when they come into class. From there they have to make a PB&J sandwich (2 slices of bread, jelly and peanut butter). This let's them have some choice in their groups but not completely. I also have ones for groups of 2 and groups of 3.
What new insights or ideas did you gain from the reading?
What I gained is the ongoing theme of I need to do this more. I feel like I am not doing enough in my classes because so far with everything, the reading reminds me of why these things are so important in my classroom.
Apply and Reflect
Provide evidence of the tool you learned.
I posted President Ronald Reagan to the course wiki. I did this because we actually choose my daughter's middle name (Reagan) based on this President. I had thought about using Thomas Jefferson since my son's middle name is after him but I had to choose one.
How might you use this tool in your classroom?
I think I am going to try and make my outlines available with Google Docs next year for my students. I have to work with it a little more though. I worry about the ability of my students to cheat and turn in other people's work as their own. I am going to really work and see if this is something I can properly use to enhance my classes. I do not want to just add technology just to add it but I do think this is a great tool.
Read and Reflect
How do you currently apply this strategy, with or without the use of technology?
I do a lot of group work in my classes. The nature of many classes I teacher is that most of the units end with a large project instead of a traditional assessment. I try and vary it so some assignments can be completed individually but others are group assignments. Right now I use different ways of picking groups. Sometimes I require that the group cannot be made up of 2 people from the same grade or can only have 2 people of the same sex. I have let them just pick groups and I even use a tool where they have to find a group to complete a pattern:
What new insights or ideas did you gain from the reading?
What I gained is the ongoing theme of I need to do this more. I feel like I am not doing enough in my classes because so far with everything, the reading reminds me of why these things are so important in my classroom.
Apply and Reflect
Provide evidence of the tool you learned.
I posted President Ronald Reagan to the course wiki. I did this because we actually choose my daughter's middle name (Reagan) based on this President. I had thought about using Thomas Jefferson since my son's middle name is after him but I had to choose one.
How might you use this tool in your classroom?
I think I am going to try and make my outlines available with Google Docs next year for my students. I have to work with it a little more though. I worry about the ability of my students to cheat and turn in other people's work as their own. I am going to really work and see if this is something I can properly use to enhance my classes. I do not want to just add technology just to add it but I do think this is a great tool.